The New Hampshire Senate has voted to have an independent human resources employee who would investigate sexual harassment complaints against lawmakers.
Currently, complaints against House members are handled by the House or Senate chiefs of staff. Under a bill that passed the Senate on Thursday, an independent employee would handle the complaints instead.
Senate President Donna Soucy, a co-sponser of the bill, says the change would reassure the public and employees that they can come forward without fear of retribution, and that it is beyond time to take sexual harassment in the State House seriously.
The bill, which now goes to the House, would also require the Legislature to create a new sexual harassment policy that would be regularly reviewed and revised if needed.
